Texas High School Girl's Scrapbook with 85 photos and Handwritten Original Story, 1923-1925

Women Education , Texas

Scrapbook Album

[Women Education] Handwritten memory and scrapbook form a Texas high school girl, 1923-1925. Filled with over 25 handwritten inscriptions from friends and teachers, as well an original handwritten story about the graduating class, 85 silver gelatin print photographs, and 85 pieces of ephemera including ribbons, party invitations, and press clippings. Original cloth boards. 10.25 x 7 in. “The Girl Graduates Record Book.” Designed by Victor de Kubinyi. New York: Barse & Hopkins, copyright 1920. Embossed detail flower motif on front cover. 190 pages. Photo dimensions 4.5 x 2.75 in. Album belonged to Ola Chamberlain of Goree, TX. Table of Contents lists pages in which handwritten memories can be recorded on: Class Yell, Motto, Class Officers, Autographs, Teachers, Class Prophecy, Invitations, Social Events, Vacations, Athletics, Presents, Jokes & Frolics, and the Baccalaureate Sermon. Second page includes photograph of school building, labelled by album owner: “Goree High School, The Prison”. Photographs of friends with colorful nicknames such as Lilliums, Hankie, and Shot Gun, and a few lines about their character. “Pie Face. He still says he is a member of the class. He is the star of the basketball team of nearly all counties.” “Preacher. Life’s a jest and all things show it / I though so, and now I know it.” “Shot Gun. He makes it to school about once a week.” In one photo, she’s drawn a text bubble coming from the mouth of a lone figure, reminiscing on the day that image was taken: “We did get to go somewhere that day after all, didn’t we, hon? Busy, that was some grand picnic, eh old dear? And just think of the many adventures that my old straw derby [hat in photo] has accompanied us on!”

22 handwritten inscriptions from friends and classmates; some write short poems, while other recall their shared memories, and some give compliments on the owner’s academic accomplishments. “Remember me early; Remember me late; Remember the day you went to the lake.” “Dearest Ola, Our memories from Child-hood days have gone on through High School days. Now as we must say good bye to those old days , the memories we shall never forget. In our arithmetic class you were always at your best. Nowa s you are going from school life into life’s school, may you find all your problems as easy as they were. “ “To know you was to love you. Well, I know you and the result was inevitable. The only regret I have is I have known you only two years of high school work….In the classroom especially math you are a wizard-ess.” “I’ll never forget the first time I met you. We were in the seventh grade and you come to visit our school. You thought we were very mean, didn’t you? I liked you then, but I didn’t think of you becoming my best pal, nor did I dream of the many good times we were to have together…you have proved to be a true pal and a real sport; and I’ll always love you.” 4 inscriptions from teachers which touch upon future wishes for students. “Life’s School is open to you. I your teacher, am sure of one thing—that you will learn life’s lesson s well, even as you have learned them in olde Goree HS.; and will be successful in all your undertakings.”

Original handwritten story in the Class Prophecy section, titled “And How It All Came Out” that explains the life paths for all fo the students in the graduating class. The story is presented as a supernatural vision that the Texas high school student experienced. “My mind wandered back to old Goree High School and the buoyant hearts it held in 1924-’25. Suddenly I caught sight of a flower. ‘Why there’s our class flower,’ I almost shouted. Eagerly I plucked it, and tested its fragrance. The odor seemed to give me a magic power. I examined one petal closely and a strange vision stole over me. When I regained my senses I was in a crowded New York Department Store…’Oh I’m head of the ladies glove department in this joint,’ yawned Gladys, after our greetings…Next I found myself in a little West Texas town standing in front of a small and dingy office which bore the label of “Sheriff”…the Sheriff was a young women of twenty who greeted me...and she told me that Franklin White was Mayor of the town while Norine was his private secretary…As I sat talking with my two friends, their faces seemed suddenly to grow dim, and to fade from my sight. A moment later, I found myself back int eh little retreat with only the naked stalk of our class flower remaining.”

Recordings of the Class Motto “Out of school life into life’s school.” Photos of class officers (President, Poet, and Reporter) and different groups, such as The Spanish Class, the Pep Club, and the “Senior Girls.” 8 photos of the class dressed in colonial era costumes for a performance or event titled The Virginia Reel. Includes Commencement invitation and programs. 7 certificates for perfect attendance and 1 Texas Public School Report Card with grades in Geometry, English, Physics, Civics, Economics, and Arithmetic. She also received marks in “Home Report” from her parents in subjects of Cooking, Care of Stock, General Farm Work, Providing Fuel, Washing Dishes, and Obedience. Newspaper clippings about the boys baketball team and the games in Knox Country, against Rochester, and Stamford. “Goree Basketeers Win County Title”. Photographs of the team members in uniform. Many handwritten memories of parties and fun events recorded by album owner: “On Wednesday nite…the Senior girls motored out to Gladys’ to spend the nite…” Pressed sweet pea flower dated May 15, 1925. First two pages detached. Front hinge detached. Toning to edges of pages. Some pages quite brittle pages with small chips at edges. Good condition.

Item #16878

Price: $500.00